LOW-VISION - PHYSICIAN SCREENING HELPS TO IMPROVE PATIENT FUNCTION

Low vision is a common problem of older patients. As a primary care pr actitioner, you are not expected to treat most ocular problems, but yo u can play an important role by identifying patients with visual impai rment. Familiarize yourself with the normal visual changes that occur with aging as well as the more common age-related ocular diseases, inc luding glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and diab etic retinopathy. You can identify patients with visual problems with a careful history and basic in-office tests of visual acuity. Refer pa tients found to have visual impairment to an eye care specialist for f urther evaluation.